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Warsaw police say a severe crosswind caused a single prop aircraft to go out of control as it was landing Sunday morning.
The plane, a 1984 Mooney M201, was stopping to refuel at the Warsaw Municipal Airport on its flight from Marblehead, Ohio to Grand Rapids, Michigan. The pilot, 63-year-old Thomas Kowalczk of Marblehead, told authorities his plane was tipped to the side by the crosswind as he descended southbound toward the runway.
The wing touched the ground, causing the plane to bounce. It crossed the runway and adjoining taxiway before crashing into barriers on a fuel tank and a fence.
“The plane slid in-between an above ground gasoline tank and the above ground controls of underground jet fuel tanks,” according to a release from the Warsaw Police Department. “There was no fire and no fuel was spilled. There was significant damage to the aircraft and to the airport fence. There was minimal damage to the fuel tank barrier.”
Thomas and his 42-year-old son Brian were uninjured.
As with all plane crash incidents, there will be an investigation conducted by the FAA in conjunction with state police.